NATCHEZ — A man is in critical condition after being airlifted from the scene of a wreck on U.S. 61 North where he was struck by a driver who reportedly passed out behind the wheel.

Natchez Detective Jerry Ford said Gregory Mason was sitting at the stop sign on the frontage road near the former Ryan’s Restaurant when Eric Herrington, driving south in a Cadillac, crossed the median and struck Mason’s vehicle.

Herrington’s car, Ford said, landed on the driver’s side of Mason’s car.

First responders worked for approximately an hour to remove Mason, who was unresponsive, from the car with the Jaws of Life.

Mason was airlifted to Rapides Regional Medical Center, Ford said, and as of 8 p.m. was in critical condition.

In the car with Herrington were Tasha Hill, Jack Johnson and Penny Ellis, who were transported to Natchez Community Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Ford said Herrington told police he had received an antibiotic shot while at a hospital in Fayette which caused him to pass out while driving.

Mason was driving a vehicle with a Jefferson Davis County license plate.